STUDENT-BUILT HOME TO BE SOLD IT'S THE PRODUCT OF CRAFTSMEN AT UPPER BUCKS VO-TECH

CHUCK AYERS, The Morning CallTHE MORNING CALL

The labors of students enrolled in six building-trade disciplines at Upper Bucks Vocational-Technical School will conclude Saturday with the sale of a large modular home at the school.

The modular unit, the first to be constructed at the vo-tech since 1981, will be sold to the highest bidder at an auction.

"They're putting the final touches on it now. Basically, the house is complete," said Michael Gokay, assistant director at the vo-tech in Bedminster Township.

Two hundred and forty students from the school's programs in cabinet making, carpentry, plumbing, drafting, masonry and electrical occupations toiled over the 52-foot by 28-foot, three-bedroom dwelling for 15 months, building the structure from the ground up, Gokay said.

The project has impressed those who have toured it as much as it has motivated students working to complete the structure, said the assistant director.

"It's one of the major attractions at the school. The students are motivated a lot more. It gives them a feeling of satisfaction. For years to come, they'll see that home on site and say, 'Hey, I did that,' " Gokay said.

Unlike other projects undertaken in the school's shops requiring small- scale construction, Gokay said working on the home gives the students a feel for what it is like to actually perform jobs in the construction industry.

"They are using the actual skills that are found in industry. You can't get any closer to the real thing, it's a first-hand experience. The house really adds to the students' learning process," he said.

The home, which has passed muster with the Bucks County building inspector and an electrical inspection agency, has drawn praise from almost everyone who has viewed it.

Gokay related that the county inspector was very impressed with the home.

"His actual comments were that he's never seen a home constructed as well as this one. He was very impressed with the quality and construction of the home," Gokay said.

The school has put about $35,000 in materials into the home - its minimum bid price when the auction takes place this weekend.

About 100 prospective buyers have toured the one-story home, so far - an encouraging sign, according to the assistant director.

"We predict the bidding is going to be pretty good," he said.

Gokay placed the market value of the home at $60,000-$70,000, based on current square-foot construction cost estimates.

There is one caveat that the new owner will have to consider when bidding on the home, however. That is, it will have to be moved by the purchaser to the location it will be placed permanently.

Gokay said the responsibility to move the home will fall on the buyer because the school has no idea where the house will end up.

"We may have ended up shipping this thing to Pittsburgh. You never can tell," he said.